BANNU: The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is facing intense criticism following the absence of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi from the funeral prayers of five civilians martyred in a recent terrorist attack in Bannu.
The victims, who included three women and a child, were killed on April 3 when terrorists targeted a civilian population outside the Domel Police Station. While security forces successfully thwarted the direct assault on the station, the surrounding community suffered significant casualties, with four additional people remaining in critical condition.
The Chief Minister’s failure to attend the last rites has sparked widespread outrage among the general population and the families of the martyrs, who view the move as a sign of deep insensitivity.
Experts have described this behaviour as tragic and contrary to the long-standing traditions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where leaders are expected to stand in solidarity with their people during times of national grief.
Many have noted that while the Chief Minister is frequently seen at political rallies and engaging in polarising rhetoric, he was conspicuously absent when it came to honouring those lost to terrorism.
Critics argue that this incident highlights a growing gap between the provincial administration and the citizens they govern. There is a prevailing sentiment that the Chief Minister is more focused on political point-scoring than on the actual governance of the province, a shift that many believe has caused the region and its people to suffer.
Security sources confirmed that the cowardly attack was carried out by Khawarij elements, and while the injured were shifted to hospitals for immediate treatment, the lack of a government presence at the funeral has left a lingering sense of abandonment in the district of Bannu.
